LUDLOW, Maine — A Ludlow woman was left homeless last week after fire destroyed her 262 White Road home.
Jami Cass reported hearing a small explosion in her house shortly after 10 a.m. on Aug. 29, according to Houlton Fire Chief Milton Cone. Cass had reportedly set off two pest-control smoke bombs in the basement of her home and was about to do another on the second floor when she heard a “a couple of small explosions.”
“When she came down the stairs, she noticed fire along the floor level of the first floor,” Cone said. “She immediately got out of the house and called 911.”
By the time firefighters arrived, the home was fully involved and unable to be saved. A nearby chicken barn was spared and none of the animals were hurt, Cone said. Several animals in the house also were saved.
Four fire engines and 20 firefighters responded to the blaze. Since the dwelling was located in an area where there are no fire hydrants, lack of water was an issue.
“It’s always a challenge with water supply in rural areas,” Cone said. “We dispatched our pump tank and shuttled water from Louisiana Pacific’s hydrants. We have been very fortunate to have them allow us to use their water source.”
A propane tank, which provided heat and cooking for Cass’ residence, also posed a challenge as firefighters took extra effort to make sure that tank did not explode.
Cone said that while “bug bombs” are both relatively safe and common to use in homes, there are some precautions that should be taken when using such devices.
“Anything that is an aerosol type of material can be flammable,” he said. “I am not sure that the fire was a result of the aerosol can itself, though. The fire may have been propane [related] in nature. It’s impossible to say for certain.”
Because of the vast amount of damage to the home, determining the ignition source was unlikely, Cone said. Firefighters cleared the scene at 2 p.m. The dwelling was insured.
Hello, Joe Bornstein!
That really sucks, but I feel like something like insect bombs is something you want to read the full directions on.
Bug bombs come with very clear instructions and cautions about proper use. I do not know whether it is the case here, but too many people do not read directions, which leads to very bad results. As in most areas of life, reading the directions is a good idea.
Are the insects gone now? Then it worked!!
Well, I have to say finding this on here and on fark.com was kinda nuts. This was the mother of my step bros and sister. I like seeing how everyone is concerned about the chickens but 3 kids are homeless too and they lost everything, but who cares about them right? Yes the house was insured but not for a whole lot, which they won’t see for quite sometime. it took firefighters 35 minutes to show up to the location of the house so. The only “funny” part about this, is that her ex husband bought the cans she used…..
…..people -_-
Sounds like you’re blaming the firefighters for the house
being a total loss. Saying it took them
35 minutes to get to the fire. One thing
is the house is 14 miles from the station and almost 2 miles down a little
crowded one lane dirt road. Sorry they would have been faster but they forgot
to gas up the plane last time they used it.
You have to be very careful with the use of “bug bombs” to ensure that all of the homes pilot lights are extinguished before you use one. I have seen them completely level a home and take out the houses on either side of it as well. Apparently, this has been a banner year for fleas here due to the unusual heat and humidity we have had. Perhaps one of the news programs should feature a story about their safe use?
“Perhaps one of the news programs should feature a story about their safe use?”
Or people should simply read the labels.
Bug “bombs” are highly ineffective. Pest control should start at the SOURCE of the problem to eliminate it. Simply attempting to kill the bugs that are hanging out in the vicinity of the “bombs” does NOTHING to prevent them from returning (or other ones from being introduced). In fact, it is more likely that you are helping the pest build up a tolerance to the chemicals.
I will read the directions and I know that YOU will read the directions……..but what if you live in a townhouse or an apartment building? What are the odds that EVERYBODY will read them? Do you really want to take that chance?
she had propane to heat and cooking – it’s possible she also uses a propane hot water tank, and if it was an older model the aerosol could have touched off on the pilot.
Tht’s what I was thinking.
I call BS. No way the contents of two cans could cause an explosion that would “level a house”. You could expect MAYBE a blown out window. That’s it. No way it could set off an exterior propane tank.
Lack of water in this area was definitely an issue!
Huh?
No where does it say the home was leveled by the explosions, in fact it says she reportedly heard tow small explosions investigated the area and saw fire which was what leveled the home.
“Since the dwelling was located in an area where there are no fire hydrants, lack of water was an issue. “It’s always a challenge with water supply in rural areas,” Cone said.” This is a dirt road without a fire hydrant in sight.
This is not an uncommon issue, and in fact they’re are quite dangerous. Anytime you fill an enclosed space with a chemical product that is flammable and do not secure ignition sources a fire will be highly likely. See here:
http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/bug-bomb-blazes-37496.php
Quite the opposite, in fact fires as a result are highly likely if ignition sources are not isolated.
Apparently you aren’t overly familiar with “bug bombs”, they are highly flammable. Any source of ignition, such as pilot lights on stove, even a refrigerator shoud be unplugged according to the directions on the can before setting off these bombs.
Actually there are a few brands that claim that you don’t need to, so I guess we shouldn’t jump to conclusions:)
The article also says several animals from the house were also rescued. I’m sure the directions also tell you not to leave pets in the house either. Ditto to redpoint86’s comment.
Reminds me of a line from Forrest Gump…
The directions are very clear. They say to turn off any electrical appliance that has a refrigerator or anything with open flames.
If I had to guess whereas this took place in the basement she set the bomb within 5-10 feet of the water heater and it caused an explosion. I’m also guessing she had a finished basement because the fire spread out from there.
Glad everyone got out including the animals.
It is always important to READ the label and understand what it says. Those things give off flammable gasses which makes it important to turn off EVERYTHING. Including the gas appliances if you have them. It only takes a single spark under the right conditions and this is the result. The key word here is BOMB.
There’s a reason why you have to get a pesticide application license. The use of chemicals in homes should always be done by a professional, or at least someone familiar with all of the safety precautions that should be taken to ensure that nothing and no one is harmed. Pesticides that target specific pests and are used in small amounts (fleas aren’t elephants) are your best bet for proper pest control.
I have my license #PPA *****. Have had it for almost 20 years now.
ps: these tests are application specific and are NOT a walk in the park to take. they also REQUIRE that ongoing education of 2 credits per year (accum. 6 credits in 3 years) to maintain a license and licenses expire unless renewed every 3 years. Education services provided by University of Maine Extension for agricultural specific classes.
Truth in advertising. That’s why is doesn’t say “Bug Spray”…
DOH!
Sumthin buggin me about this……..
Boom goes the bug bomb…should we be surprised?